What's the difference between “cien” and “centenar”?

Question

I recently read this quote:

El libro en inglés es como un centenar de páginas más corto.

Why is "un centenar" used here instead of "cien"? When should we use "centenar" vs. "cien"?

jlliagre · Accepted Answer · 2016-03-13 10:59:11Z

10

That's the same difference English makes between twelve and a dozen. Here como un centenar means "approximately a hundred".

answered Mar 13 '16 at 10:51

jlliagre

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...and many more examples of special words for quantities: Pair=par(2), couple=par(2), ten=decena(10), score=??(20), gross=gruesa(144), thousand=millar(1000) ... See gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/numbers/words/intro.htm – DGaleano Mar 13 '16 at 14:45
score=veintena(20), ??=treintena(30) – Ra_ Mar 31 '16 at 14:02

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